I have just completed a trip from Chicago, IL to Orlando FL to visit my daughter turning 13 this month. During my trip down south, several thoughts crossed my mind and I am writing to inquire as to whether any of you have any specific answers for the following questions:
1) How "catastrophic" would it be to hit a deer bounding into your path single riding at say 85 mph? I saw many dead deer along the sides of the road near the Tennessee mountains outside of Chattanooga, and wondered if a biker would survive.
2) I was forced to ride in the evening on strange roads, through Georgia. I kept wondering what would happen if I ran over a good sized pot hole. Anybody ever do that?
3) How does a bike behave with a blow out? Front tire? Rear tire? Can a single rider have any warning to try to handle the forces??
4) Generally, what speed is acceptable with decent tires in the rain? I had several cars and tractor-trailors rush by me, but it was night, and drizzeling for hours and hours down to Florida.
I made it safe and sound, took it relatively easy, but sometimes when it got real dark, and visibility was poor, my mind played lots of tricks on me. I "trusted" the overall road condition, and the statistical improbability of hitting a deer, pot hole, etc.
Thank you for your true to life experiences. Sunrayman
